Pragmatism and Play in Early Childhood Education: Learning from Daily Life
Pragmatic philosophy, especially as developed by John Dewey, emphasizes learning through experience and connecting education to real-life situations. In early childhood education (PAUD), this approach highlights the importance of play as a medium for children to explore, experiment, and understand the world around them. Learning is most effective when it is active, meaningful, and directly linked to children’s daily experiences.
A key principle of pragmatism in PAUD is learning by doing. Children engage in hands-on activities, experiments, and problem-solving tasks that reflect real-life contexts. Through play, they test ideas, make decisions, and learn from successes and mistakes, developing both cognitive and practical skills.
Pragmatic education also emphasizes child-centered learning. Teachers act as facilitators, observing children’s interests, providing materials, and guiding exploration without imposing rigid instructions. This approach allows children to take initiative, express creativity, and pursue topics that capture their curiosity, fostering intrinsic motivation to learn.
Social interaction is another important aspect of pragmatic learning. Collaborative play and group activities teach children teamwork, communication, empathy, and conflict resolution. By working together, children learn to negotiate, share, and understand different perspectives, which supports social and emotional development.
Applying pragmatism and play in PAUD nurtures holistic development, combining cognitive, social, emotional, and moral growth. Children learn from everyday experiences, gain practical problem-solving skills, and develop a love of learning that prepares them for future educational challenges and lifelong learning.
